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Monday, January 2, 2017

Review: The Girl Before by JP Delaney

I received a copy of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I did not and do not accept monetary compensation for reviews. These are my original thoughts and opinions.

Please make a list of every possession you consider essential to your life.

The request seems odd, even intrusive—and for the two women who answer, the consequences are devastating.

EmmaReeling from a traumatic break-in, Emma wants a new place to live. But none of the apartments she sees are affordable or feel safe. Until One Folgate Street. The house is an architectural masterpiece: a minimalist design of pale stone, plate glass, and soaring ceilings. But there are rules. The enigmatic architect who designed the house retains full control: no books, no throw pillows, no photos or clutter or personal effects of any kind. The space is intended to transform its occupant—and it does.

JaneAfter a personal tragedy, Jane needs a fresh start. When she finds One Folgate Street she is instantly drawn to the space—and to its aloof but seductive creator. Moving in, Jane soon learns about the untimely death of the home’s previous tenant, a woman similar to Jane in age and appearance. As Jane tries to untangle truth from lies, she unwittingly follows the same patterns, makes the same choices, crosses paths with the same people, and experiences the same terror, as the girl before.

My Review:

3.5 Stars

This was a different type of story. While the book follows two women, they way it's written is intriguing. The chapters alternate between both women.

From the then to the now we are afforded a look into both women's lives and what has brought them to One Folgate Street. While each could not be more different than the other, there are traits and similarities that they both share. Similarities that are enough to be a danger to themselves and the men that they fall in with.

One Folgate Street itself is like a dream come true. While there are a lot of stipulations to living there, you are in a smart house. A house that assesses you and helps you to become a better person. From lighting that helps with depressions to reading hormone levels, the house is scarily in sync with the user. An updated and modern version of Diney's Smarthouse movie.

While I did enjoy the overall story line and how the characters were/interacted, I found the story to be a little slow. For me the progression seemed to drag, going over the same type of details repeatedly. It was almost as if the person needed multiple goes before being able to come to the conclusion that they had been seeing all along.

Overall a story that will keep your interest and leave you reeling towards the end.